Pre-service teacher professional education program (PPG) and Indonesian science teachers' TPACK development: A career-path comparative study

Abstract This study examined the impact of the Indonesian pre-service teacher professional education program (PPG) on pre-service science teachers' technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) competencies. As a government-directed initiative, the PPG program's curriculum is aligned with TPACK principles. We conducted a comparative analysis involving 311 teachers divided into four groups: pre-service PPG science teachers, pre-service science teachers not enrolled in PPG, in-service science teachers with less than two years of experience, and those with more than two years of experience. ANOVA results revealed a significant positive effect of the PPG program on TPACK scores, except when comparing non-PPG pre-service teachers to in-service teachers with less than two years of experience. Pre-service PPG teachers demonstrated greater confidence in technology-related TPACK components. In contrast, in-service teachers with over two years of experience exhibited higher overall TPACK scores, particularly in pedagogical knowledge, content knowledge, and pedagogical content knowledge. These findings highlight the effectiveness of government-sponsored teacher training in enhancing TPACK while recognizing the valuable expertise that experienced teachers bring to their practice. The study suggests a need for resource allocation and training strategies that incorporate the strengths of both pre-service and experienced educators to foster a more comprehensive approach to teacher development.